PM in awkward meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker

David Cameron has endured an awkward-looking encounter with Jean-Claude Juncker after failing to block his appointment to the EU's top job. The Prime Minister held one-on-one talks with the Commission President in Brussels this morning after a summit of European leaders.

The European Commission's newly-elected head Jean-Claude Juncker found himself heckled by Eurosceptics in the European Parliament. Mr Juncker told MEPs (in French): "The single currency protects Europe." He was subsequently heckled by some who deemed it "rubbish".

He accused Ukip leader Nigel Farage, a staunch opponent of the appointment, of "secretly" voting for the former leader of Luxembourg.

Mr Juncker addressed him (in French): "I'm led to believe that your Parliament will vote by a secret ballot. And I understand that, because Mr Farage wouldn't want his voters to discover he voted for me".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pictured with the new European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker Credit: Maurizio Gambarini/DPA/Press Association Images

The appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission president is a "very good sign" for Europe's ability to act, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, after a meeting with leaders of south east European countries in Croatia.

Ms Merkel added: "I would like to congratulate Jean-Claude Juncker on his election as EU president with a clear result in the first round of voting [...] It will inspire us to resume the work with the European commission."

Jean-Claude Juncker denied being a federalist after being elected as European Commission President.

Mr Juncker told ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen that he did not want a "United States of Europe". He added: "I will negotiate with David Cameron and others, and will make a fair deal with him".

Jean-Claude Juncker has said he would work towards the introduction of a minimum social wage in each member state of the European Union.

The Designated European Commission President has been addressing European Parliament before a vote on his nomination to replace Jose Manuel Barroso as head of the European Commission.

Juncker previously said he favours each EU country setting a minimum wage as a proportion of its own median income, which varies enormously between Luxenbourg at the top and Romania and Bulgaria at the bottom.